Silicone resin, process for producing the same, and curable resin composition comprising the same

ABSTRACT

Provided are a silicone resin that yields a cured product excellent in flexibility, toughness, and heat resistance and high in transparency, a process for producing the said silicone resin, and a curable resin composition comprising the said silicone resin. The silicone resin is obtained by reacting an organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented by general formula (3) with an organopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by general formula (5) and an alcohol containing radically reactive groups represented by general formula (6) in the presence of a hydroxylamine compound represented by general formula (4) as a catalyst and this silicone resin is used in formulating a curable resin composition. In the general formulas, R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containing an oxygen atom or an aryl group, R 1  is an alkyl group, Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containing an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, or an allyl group, and n, s, m, and r are numbers respectively expressed as 0&lt;n≦2,000, 0&lt;s≦100, 0&lt;m≦1,000, and 1&lt;r≦6.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of patent application Ser.No. 12/864,684, filed on Jul. 27, 2010 which is a 371 application ofApplication No. PCT/JP2009/051882, filed Feb. 4, 2009 which is based onJapanese Patent Application Nos. JP2008-027394 and JP2008-027395 filedon Feb. 7, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This invention relates to a silicone resin, a process for producing thesaid silicone resin, and a curable resin composition comprising the saidsilicone resin and, more particularly, this invention relates to a novelsilicone resin that is crosslinked by silanols in spite of theco-presence of radically reactive groups, a process for producing thesaid silicone resin, and a curable resin composition comprising the saidsilicone resin.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Cured silicone resins show excellent heat resistance, weatherresistance, oil resistance, low-temperature resistance, and electricinsulation and, at the same time, low modulus of elasticity and lowstress. In consequence, cured silicone resins are used in a wide varietyof applications including protection of electronic parts installed invehicles and electrical appliances. In recent years, there is a demandespecially for cured silicone resins which are flexible and tough.

In order to obtain cured silicone resins, curable reactive functionalgroups are generally introduced to silicone resins. In particular, inorder to obtain cured products which are flexible and tough, siliconeresins are synthesized by utilizing such means as introduction of longsilicone chains and optimization of the number of functional groups orproduced in the form of polymer blends by mixing resins.

The processes such as the following have been used for the synthesis ofsilicone resins up to the present: condensation of silanols; linking ofreadily hydrolyzable groups such as aminoxy groups, alkoxy groups, andoxime groups to the siloxane chain followed by polycondensation in thepresence of atmospheric moisture; condensation reaction with the use ofchlorosilanes and hydrosilylation reaction between a compound in which ahydrogen atom is linked to a silicon atom and a compound in which anunsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group such as a vinyl group and anally group is linked to a silicon atom in the presence of a Group 8compound as a catalyst.

However, it is difficult to introduce curable reactive groupsselectively according to the aforementioned processes based onpolycondensation. Further, it is a matter of concern that the resinsthereby obtained are apt to increase in viscosity or to gel and theirstorage stability is questionable. Now, addition of tertiary amines isproposed as a measure to suppress increase in viscosity and gelation ofthe resins prepared by the hydrosilylation reaction; however, even thismeasure could not fully suppress increase in viscosity and gelation ofthe silicone resins during the course of purification where heat isapplied under reduced pressure (refer to patent document 1).

An example of a silicone resin containing curable reactive functionalgroups is afforded by a silicone resin in which radically reactivemethacryl groups are introduced to the silicone chain; however, a resincontaining methacryl groups at both ends undergoes crosslinking at fewerplaces to yield a product which tends to break easily (refer to patentdocument 2).

When the technique of polymer blending is used, the compatibility ofpolymers to be blended poses a problem. When the polymers do not meltinto one another, the resulting blend becomes turbid and it cannot beused as an optical material. Blends of polymers whose monomers aremainly composed of carbon-chain compounds face a problem that the curedproducts turn yellow at high temperatures. Hence, a demand has beencreated for development of silicone resins in whose silicone chains areselectively introduced arbitrarily long silicone chains and an arbitrarynumber and kind of curable reactive groups so that the resins can yieldcured products with excellent flexibility, toughness, heat resistance,and transparency.

Materials of low birefringence, low optical modulus of elasticity, andhigh optical transparency are used as optical materials in suchapplications as bases of liquid crystal display devices, optical lenses,and encapsulating materials for light emitting diodes. Moreover, themanufacturing process necessitates that the materials intended for usein bases of liquid crystal display devices and optical lenses have highheat resistance. Glass has been used as a material that satisfies theaforementioned requirements.

However, curved surfaces are used in optical lenses and, in recentyears, a demand is growing for increasingly thinner bases for liquidcrystal display devices. Glass hitherto used in these applications has aproblem in strength because of its brittleness and this property hasbegun to limit the area of applications of glass.

Polymers are considered tough materials, but they generally show lowheat resistance. As a measure to provide polymers with high heatresistance, introduction of an aromatic skeleton is under study, forexample, in the case of thermoplastic resins. However, this measureleads to an increase in birefringence and optical modulus of elasticityon the other hand and it is difficult for a given thermoplastic resin toshow both high heat resistance and good optical propertiessimultaneously. Furthermore, in the case of thermosetting resins, thoseknown thus far are reported to become colored during heat curing andthey are not suitable for use as optical materials. For example, acrylicresins have a property of rapid curing, but they occasionally becomecolored on heating because of their low heat resistance.

Silicone resins are generally known as materials of excellent heatresistance and high transparency and they are useful as highly flexiblematerials as well. However, the curable silicone resins known thus farrequire high temperature and long time in curing and have thedisadvantage of low productivity. For example, in a document whichdescribes curing by hydrosilylation of silicone resins, a specimen curesat a high temperature of 60° C. in 1 hour or at room temperature in along time of 24 hours (refer to patent document 3).

-   Patent document 1: JP Hei 4-352793 A-   Patent document 2: JP2002-302664 A-   Patent document 3: JP2007-126576 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Under the aforementioned circumstances, the inventors of this inventionhave conducted intensive studies aiming at obtaining novel siliconeresins in whose silicone chains are selectively introduced arbitrarilylong silicone chains and an arbitrary number and kind of curablereactive groups so that the resins can yield cured products withexcellent flexibility, toughness, heat resistance, and transparency. Asa result, they have found that silicone resins capable of achieving theaforementioned aim are obtained by mixing a polysiloxane containing SiHgroups and an organopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups and allowingthe mixture to react in the presence of a hydroxylamine compound.Further, they have found that resin compositions comprising the novelsilicone resins cure while satisfying the requirements of both heatresistance and rapid curability to yield products of excellenttransparency and toughness.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a silicone resinwhich can yield a cured product showing excellent flexibility,toughness, heat resistance, and transparency. Another object of thisinvention is to provide a process for producing the said silicone resin.

Further, a still another object of this invention is to provide acurable resin composition which can yield a molded article (curedproduct) which is highly heat-resistant, transparent with good lighttransmission, and yet tough.

Means to Solve the Problems

Thus, this invention relates to a silicone resin containing radicallyreactive groups represented by the following general formula (1):

wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group, 0<l≦100, 0≦m≦1,000, 0<n≦2,000,0<o<100−l, p≧0, q≦100−l−o, and X is a monovalent group containing atleast 1 unsaturated linkage represented by the following general formula(2);

X: —O(Y)(Z)_(r)  (2)

wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionallycontaining an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group,or an allyl group, and r is a number expressed as 1≦r≦6.

Further, this invention relates to a process for producing a siliconeresin containing radically reactive groups which comprises reacting anorganopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented by the followinggeneral formula (3)

(wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group, and s and in are numbers respectivelyexpressed as 0<s≦100 and 0<m≦1,000) in the presence of a hydroxylaminecompound represented by the following general formula (4) as a catalyst

HONR¹ ₂  (4)

(wherein R¹ is an alkyl group) with an organopolysiloxane containinghydroxyl groups at both ends represented by the following generalformula (5)

(wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group and n is a number expressed as0<n≦2,000) and with an alcohol containing radically reactive groupsrepresented by the following general formula (6)

HO(Y)(Z)_(r)  (6)

(wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionallycontaining an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group,or an allyl group, and r is a number expressed as 1≦r≦6).

Further, this invention relates to a curable resin compositioncomprising the curable silicone resin containing radically reactivegroups represented by the aforementioned general formula (1) and aradical polymerization initiator.

Still further, this invention relates to a molded silicone resin articleobtained by radical copolymerization of the aforementioned curable resincomposition.

First, this invention will be explained concretely with reference to anexample of the production of a silicone resin containing radicallyreactive groups.

The process for producing a silicone resin according to this inventioncomprises reacting an organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups with anorganopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups and an alcohol containingradically reactive groups in the presence of a hydroxylamine compound.In the sequence of reactions shown below, the organopolysiloxanecontaining SiH groups is reacted first with the organopolysiloxanecontaining hydroxyl groups and then with the alcohol containingradically reactive groups. Alternatively, the organopolysiloxanecontaining SiH groups is reacted first with the alcohol containingradically reactive groups and then with the organopolysiloxne containinghydroxyl groups. Or, the organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups may bereacted simultaneously with the organopolysiloxne containing hydroxylgroups and the alcohol containing radically reactive groups.

In the formulas, R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionallycontaining an oxygen atom or an aryl group, R¹ is an alkyl group; s andm are numbers respectively expressed as 0<s≦100 and 0<m≦1,000 and0<l≦100, 0<n≦2,000, 0<o<100−l, p≧0, and q≦100−l−o; X is a monovalentgroup containing at least 1 unsaturated linkage represented by thefollowing general formula (2)

X: —O(Y)(Z)_(r)  (2)

wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionallycontaining an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group,or an allyl group, and 1≦r≦6.

A compound represented by the following general formula (3) is used asthe aforementioned organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups;

wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group, 0<s≦100, and 0<m≦1,000.

Examples of the group R in general formula (3) include an alkyl group, acycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, and an aralkyl groupand any of the foregoing groups in which hydrogen atoms are partly orwholly replaced by a halogen atom, a cyano group, and the like. However,in consideration of the necessity of removing the by-product R¹ ₂NOHafter the reaction of a compound represented by general formula (3) witha siloxane containing hydroxyl groups as will be described later, thegroup R is preferably an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms such as amethyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group.

The numbers s and m in general formula (3) are respectively expressed as0<s≦100 and 0<m≦1,000. When s exceeds 100, the cured product becomeshard. When m exceeds 1,000, the reactivity at the time of synthesisdrops. Preferably, s=3-50 and m=5-500. A mixture of two kinds or more oforganopolysiloxanes represented by general formula (3), differing in R,s, and m from one another, may be used in the synthesis.

An organopolysiloxane represented by general formula (3) can be producedby a known process. For example, this polymer can be obtained easily byallowing octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and/ortetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane and a compound containing a triorganosilylgroup which can become a terminal group to react in the presence of acatalyst such as sulfuric acid, trifluormethanesulfonic acid, andmethanesulfonic acid at a temperature in the range of −10° C. to 40° C.until equilibrium is attained. An example of the aforementioned compoundcontaining a triorganosilyl group is hexamethyldisiloxane.

A hydroxylamine represented by the following general formula (4) can beused in the synthesis of a silicone resin according to this invention;

HONR¹ ₂  (4)

wherein R¹ is an alkyl group.

The aforementioned hydroxylamine behaves like a catalyst in thesubsequent reactions and is finally removed from the system. Hence, themixing ratio will be shown below on the basis of the SiH group of anorganopolysiloxane represented by general formula (3).

The ratio of hydroxylamine represented by general formula (4) to theorganopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented by general formula(3) at the time of mixing is not specifically limited, but the molarratio (k) of the hydroxylamine to the SiH group of theorganopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented by general formula(3) is preferably greater than 0, particularly in the range of 0.1 to 1.When the aforementioned molar ratio k exceeds 1, an excess of thehydroxylamine remains in the reaction system and the problem ofstability with passage of time remains. The aforementioned reaction ofthe organopolysiloxane represented by general formula (3) with thehydroxylamine represented by general formula (4) is carried out withstirring at a temperature in the range of 0-100° C., preferably in therange of 20-50° C., for a period in the range of 10 minutes to 24 hoursor so while confirming the introduction of amine by ¹H-NMR analysis.

A polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups exclusively at both endsrepresented by the following general formula (5) is preferably added asthe aforementioned organopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups:

wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group and 0<n≦2,000.

The degree of polymerization n of a mixture of polysiloxanes denotes themean value and preferably 0<n≦2,000 in consideration of the physicalstrength of the polysiloxane copolymer to be obtained. When n exceeds2,000, the reactivity during the synthesis drops. The aforementionedorganopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups represented by generalformula (5) can be produced by a known process; for example, acyclosiloxane compound is reacted with a variety of organic lithiumreagents and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane and then reacted with achlorosilane to yield the desired organopolysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups.

According to this invention, the proportion of an organopolysiloxanecontaining hydroxyl groups represented by general formula (5) in thereaction mixture is not specifically limited and the molar ratio of thehydroxyl group of the organopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups tothe SiH group of the organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups in thecharging stage is greater than 0, preferably in the range of 0.01 toless than 1, more preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.5. When theaforementioned molar ratio exceeds 1, an excess of hydroxyl groupsremains in the reaction system and the problem of stability with passageof time remains. The reaction at the time of addition of theorganopolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups is allowed to proceed withstirring at a temperature in the range of 0-100° C., preferably in therange of 20-50° C., for a period in the range of 10 minutes to 24 hoursor so while confirming the disappearance of SiOH groups by ¹H-NMRanalysis.

Addition of an alcohol containing radically reactive groups representedby the following general formula (6)

HO(Y)(Z)_(r)  (6)

(wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionallycontaining an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group,or an allyl group, and 1≦r≦6) leads to the production of a siliconeresin containing radically reactive groups represented by the followinggeneral formula (1):

Examples of the alcohols represented by general formula (6) include2-acryloyloxyethyl-2-hydroxyethyl phthalate,2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2-hydroxyethyl phthalate, 2-hydroxybutylacrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate,2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate, aliphatic epoxy acrylates, aliphatic epoxy methacrylates,Ebecryl 111, Ebecryl 112, ECH-modified allyl acrylate, ECH-modifiedallyl methacrylate, butanediol monoacrylate, butanediolmonomethacrylate, caprolactone acrylate, caprolactone methacrylate,dipropylene glycol acrylate, dipropylene glycol methacrylate,ECH-modified phenoxy acrylate, ECH-modified phenoxy methacrylate,polypropylene glycol acrylate, polypropylene glycol methacrylate,EO-modified 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, EQ-modified 1,6-hexanedioldimethacrylate, ECH-modified 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, ECH-modified1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, bisphenol A-diepoxy-acrylic acid adduct,bisphenol A-diepoxy-methacrylic acid adduct, stearic acid-modifiedpentaerythritol diacrylate, stearic acid-modified pentaerythritoldimethacrylate, ECH-modified phthalic acid diacrylate, ECH-modifiedphthalic acid dimethacrylate, ECH-modified propylene glycol diacrylate,ECH-modified propylene glycol dimethacrylate, PO-modified bisphenol Adiglycidyl ether diacrylate, PO-modified bisphenol A diglycidyl etherdimethacrylate, triglycerol diacrylate, triglycerol dimethacrylate,ECH-modified glycerol triacrylate, ECH-modified glyceroltrimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritoltrimethacrylate, dipentaerythritol hydroxypentaacrylate,dipentaerythritol hydroxypentamethacrylate,2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropylmethacrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride,3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate, glycerol acrylate, glycerol methacrylate, glycidylacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, EO- and PO-modified phthalic acidacrylate, EO- and PO-modified phthalic acid methacrylate, EO-modifiedphthalic acid acrylate, EO-modified phthalic acid methacrylate,polyethylene glycol-polypropylene glycol acrylate, polyethyleneglycol-polypropylene glycol methacrylate, poly(ethyleneglycol-tetramethylene glycol) acrylate, poly(ethyleneglycol-tetramethylene glycol) methacrylate, poly(propyleneglycol-tetramethylene glycol) acrylate, poly(propyleneglycol-tetramethylene glycol) methacrylate, polyethylene glycolacrylate, polyethylene glycol methacrylate, ECH-modified ethylene glycoldiacrylate, ECH-modified ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, glycerolacrylate methacrylate, glycerol diacrylate, glycerol dimethacrylate,ECH-modified phenoxy diacrylate, ECH-modified phenoxy dimethacrylate,ECH-modified polyethylene glycol diacrylate, ECH-modified polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, cyclohexanedimethanol monovinyl ether, diethyleneglycol monovinyl ether, hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, hydroxyethyl vinylether, vinyl 4-hydroxybutyl ether, and 3-ethyl-3-hydroxyethyloxetane.

The reaction at the time of addition of the aforementioned alcoholcontaining radically reactive groups represented by general formula (6)is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0-100° C., preferably inthe range of 20-50° C., for a period in the range of 10 minutes to 24hours or so while confirming the introduction of radically reactivegroups by ¹H-NMR analysis. The proportion of the alcohol containingradically reactive groups represented by general formula (6) in thereaction mixture is not specifically limited, but the molar ratio of thehydroxyl group of the alcohol containing radically reactive groupsrepresented by general formula (6) to the SiH group of theorganopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented by general formula(3) in the charging stage is 0.5 or more, preferably in the range of 0.8to 3.

The silicone resin containing radically reactive groups represented bygeneral formula (1) obtained in this manner can be crosslinked byirradiation with ultraviolet light using a low-pressure mercury lamp.Furthermore, crosslinking can be effected by hydrosilylation usinganother polysiloxane containing SiH groups. In the case where thesilicone resin represented by general formula (1) contains SiH groups,crosslinking can be effected by hydrosilylation with a polysiloxanecontaining aliphatic unsaturated groups such as vinyl groups. Moreover,the silicone resin represented by general formula (1) thus obtainedpreferably has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of10,000-200,000. A weight average molecular weight of lower than thisrange is undesirable as it tends to lower the mechanical strength aftercuring. A weight average molecular weight of higher than this range isalso undesirable as it causes the viscosity to increase to a level toohigh for easy handling of the resin.

The silicone resin represented by general formula (1) obtained in theaforementioned manner possesses characteristic properties of bothsilicone resins and acrylic resins, namely, excellent flexibility andimpact resistance of the former and rapid curability of the latter. Aresin composition formulated by combining this silicone resin with aradical polymerization initiator that generates radicals by light orheat cures in a short time to yield a molded article which isheat-resistant, transparent, flexible, and impact-resistant.

The photopolymerization initiators which generate radicals by lightinclude biacetylacetophenone, benzophenone, benzil, benzoyl isobutylether, benzyl dimethyl ketal, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone,1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl phenyl ketone, α-hydroxyisopropylp-isopropylphenyl ketone, diethylthioxantone, ethylanthraquinone, andbis(diethylamino)benzophenone.

The thermal polymerization initiators which generate radicals by heatinclude a variety of organic peroxides such as ketone peroxides, diacylperoxides, hydroperoxides, dialkyl peroxides, peroxy ketals, alkylperesters, and percarbonates and dialkyl peroxides are preferred fromthe viewpoint of catalytic activity. Specific examples includecyclohexanone peroxide, 1,1-bis(t-hexaperoxy)cyclohexanone, cumenehydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, diisopropyl peroxide,di-t-butyl peroxide, t-hexylperoxyisopropyl monocarbonate, and t-butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate. The thermal polymerization initiators usefulfor this invention are not limited to the examples given above. Thesethermal polymerization initiators may be used singly or as a mixture oftwo kinds or more.

The amount of the radical polymerization initiator to be incorporated isnot specifically limited as long as the amount added is enough toproduce the anticipated effect effectively and it is normally 0.01-20.0parts by weight, preferably 0.1-10.0 parts by weight, per 100 parts byweight of the total polymerizable components. The term “totalpolymerizable components” here means the sum total of the silicone resincontaining radically reactive groups of this invention described aboveand other compounds containing polymerizable unsaturated groups at endswhich are added, if necessary, as will be explained below. The compoundscontaining polymerizable unsaturated groups are meant to becopolymerizable with the silicone resin containing radically reactivegroups of this invention.

That is, a curable resin composition may be formulated by using thesilicone resin containing radically reactive groups of this inventiontogether with monomeric (meth)acrylate ester as a “compound containingpolymerizable unsaturated groups at ends” as long as this simultaneoususe does not destroy the effect of this invention; specific examples ofthe (meth)acrylate esters include monoesters such as methyl(meth)acrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, diesters such as1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate and 1,9-nonanediol di(meth)acrylate,triesters such as trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, and urethaneacrylates.

Further, in formulating a curable resin composition in this invention,it is allowable to incorporate substances other than “a silicone resincontaining radically reactive groups” and “a compound containingpolymerizable unsaturated groups at ends.” Examples of such substancesinclude “other resins” such as polyamide, polyamideimide, polyurethane,polybutadiene, polychloroprene, polyether, polyester,styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, petroleum resin, xyleneresin, epoxy resin, ketone resin, cellulose resin, fluorine-containingoligomer, silicone oligomer, polysulfide oligomer, acrylic rubber, andsilicone rubber, “fillers” such as silica, alumina, glass beads,styrenic polymer particles, divinylbenzene-based polymer particles,methacrylic polymer particles, ethylenic polymer particles, andpropylenic polymer particles, and “modifiers” such as auxiliarypolymerization initiators, antioxidants, leveling agents, wettabilityimprovers, surfactants, plasticizers, and ultraviolet absorbers.

Addition of “silane coupling agents” is effective for furtherimprovement of the adhesive properties of the curable resin compositionsof this invention. Examples of such silane coupling agents includeepoxysilanes such as γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane,γ-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, andβ-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, aminosilanes such asN-β-(aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane,γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, andN-phenyl-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and mercaptosilanes such asγ-mercaptosilane; examples further include methyltrimethoxysilane andmethyltriethoxysilane.

According to this invention, a curable resin composition comprising asilicone resin containing radically reactive groups and a radicalpolymerization initiator is cured by heating or photoirradiation toyield a molded article. In the case where a silicone resin copolymer(molded article) is obtained by heating, the molding temperature can beselected from a wide range from room temperature to around 200° C. byselecting suitable thermal polymerization initiators and accelerators.The curable resin composition is allowed to polymerize and cure in amold or on a steel belt in a prescribed manner to yield a moldedsilicone resin article in the desired shape to suit a specificapplication or purpose of the molded article to be produced.

In the case where a silicone resin copolymer (molded article) isproduced by photoirradiation, a curable resin composition is irradiatedwith ultraviolet light of wavelength 10-400 nm or with visible light ofwavelength 400-700 nm to yield a molded article. The wavelength of thelight in use is not specifically limited and near ultraviolet light ofwavelength 200-400 nm is used advantageously. Examples of the lamps forgenerating ultraviolet light include low-pressure mercury lamp (output,0.4-4 W/cm), high-pressure mercury lamps (output, 40-160 W/cm),ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamps (output, 173-435 W/cm), metal halidelamps (output, 80-160 W/cm), pulse xenon lamps (output, 80-120 W/cm),and electrodeless discharge lamps (output, 80-120 W/cm). As each ofthese lamps shows its own characteristic spectral distribution, thecandidate is selected to suit the kind of photopolymerization initiatorto be used.

An example of the photoirradiation processes for producing a siliconeresin copolymer is presented below. A curable resin composition isinjected into a mold which has a cavity of arbitrary shape and isconstructed of a transparent material such as quartz glass, irradiatedwith ultraviolet light using one of the aforementioned mercury lamps toeffect polymerization and curing, and released from the mold to yield amolded article of the desired shape. In the case where the process doesnot use a mold, a curable resin composition is applied, for example, toa moving steel belt using a doctor blade or a roll coater and ispolymerized and cured by ultraviolet irradiation using one of theaforementioned mercury lamps to yield a molded article in the form of asheet. However, the processes for producing molded articles, whetherbased on curing by heat or photoirradiation, are not limited to theexamples described above.

The silicone resin copolymer (molded article) of this invention obtainedin the aforementioned manner shows low modulus of elasticity, highelongation, excellent flexibility, and good toughness. Moreover, ittransmits 88% or more, in some cases 90% or more, of visible light of awavelength of 550 nm and this suggests the feasibility of itsapplication to optical materials. Still further, it does not turn yelloweven at high temperatures. Specifically, the molded article shows thefollowing properties: (i) the modulus of elasticity at 25° C. is0.01-1,000 MPa; (ii) the elongation determined with the distance betweenchucks set at 25-50 mm and the test speed at 5-50 mm/min is 10-500%;(iii) the transmission of light at 550 nm is 88-94%; and (iv) theCoefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) is 100-1,000 ppm/K.

Effects of the Invention

According to this invention, it is possible to introduce selectively avariety of functional groups to a silicone polymer containing SiH groupssimply and surely under mild conditions, and introduction of radicallyreactive groups in this manner provides a silicone resin which curesrapidly by ultraviolet irradiation. Moreover, the silicone resin iscombined with a radical polymerization initiator to formulate a resincomposition which cures in a short time to yield a molded article withexcellent heat resistance, transparency, flexibility, and impactresistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin A obtained in Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin B obtained in Example 2.

FIG. 3 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin C obtained in Example 3.

FIG. 4 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin D obtained in Example 4.

FIG. 5 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin E obtained in Example 5.

FIG. 6 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin F obtained in Example 6.

FIG. 7 shows a GPC chart of silicone resin G obtained in Example 7.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention will be explained in detail below with reference to theexamples and comparative examples, but will not be limited thereto.

EXAMPLES Example 1

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 27 ml of toluene, 0.95 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 22.01 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (i) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=7, and m=73). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 3.49 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (ii) (wherein R is a methyl group and n=35)over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completion of thedropwise addition of the polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at bothends, the reaction solution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for 5minutes, then 9.00 g of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was added dropwise,and the reaction solution was stirred for 6.5 hours. The reactionsolution was washed with an aqueous citric acid solution and water untilthe solution became neutral and was then dehydrated by anhydrousmagnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesium sulfate was filtered off andthe filtrate was concentrated to yield 27 g (90% recovery) of a siliconeresin containing radically reactive groups. The silicone resin thusobtained will be referred to as silicone resin A.

Silicone resin A obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxane and the polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 1. As is apparent from FIG.1, a resin with an Mw of 38,000 is obtained here.

Example 2

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 92 ml of toluene, 0.83 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 19.17 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (i) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=7, and m=73). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 78.27 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=659) over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completionof the dropwise addition of the polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groupsat both ends, the reaction solution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for5 minutes, then 7.83 g of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was addeddropwise, and the reaction solution was stirred for 7 hours. Thereaction solution was washed with an aqueous citric acid solution andwater until the solution became neutral and was then dehydrated byanhydrous magnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesium sulfate wasfiltered off and the filtrate was concentrated to yield 95 g (95%recovery) of a silicone resin containing radically reactive groups. Thesilicone resin thus obtained will be referred to as silicone resin B.

Silicone resin B obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxane and the polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 2. As is apparent from FIG.2, a resin with an Mw of 100,000 is obtained here.

Example 3

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 9.11 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both endsrepresented by the following structural formula (Iv) (wherein R is amethyl group and n=1,872) and 18 ml of toluene. To the reaction vesselwas added dropwise a mixture of a toluene solution of 0.97 g of anorganohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (i) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=7, and m=73) and 0.034 g ofN,N-diethylhydroxylamine with stirring at room temperature. The reactionsolution was heated at 70° C. and stirred for 5 minutes, then 0.32 g of2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was added dropwise, and the reactionsolution was stirred for 7 hours. The reaction solution was washed withan aqueous citric acid solution and water until the solution becameneutral and was then dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Theanhydrous magnesium sulfate was filtered off and the filtrate wasconcentrated to yield 7 g (70% recovery) of a silicone resin containingradically reactive groups. The silicone resin thus obtained will bereferred to as silicone resin C.

Silicone resin C obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxane and the polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 3. As is apparent from FIG.3, a resin with an Mw of 160,000 is obtained here.

Example 4

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 30 ml of toluene, 0.18 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 0.32 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (v) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=30, and m=0). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 4.05 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=659) over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completionof the dropwise addition of the polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groupsat both ends, the reaction solution was stirred for 5 minutes, then 1.87g of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was added dropwise, and the reactionsolution was stirred at 70° C. for 7 hours. The reaction solution waswashed with an aqueous citric acid solution and water until the solutionbecame neutral and was then dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate.The anhydrous magnesium sulfate was filtered off and the filtrate wasconcentrated to yield 4 g (80% recovery) of a silicone resin containingradically reactive groups. The silicone resin thus obtained will bereferred to as silicone resin D.

Silicone resin D obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxane and the polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 4. As is apparent from FIG.4, a resin with an Mw of 130,000 is obtained here.

Example 5

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 120 ml of toluene, 0.82 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, 1.2 g ofan organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (v) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=30, and m=0), and 1.2 g ofan organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (vi) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=8, and m=16). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 4.9 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=659) and 1.38 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at bothends represented by the following structural formula (vii) (wherein R isa methyl group and n=35) over 5 minutes with stirring at roomtemperature. Upon completion of the dropwise addition of thepolysiloxanes containing hydroxyl groups at both ends, the reactionsolution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for 5 minutes, then 8.5 g of2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was added dropwise, and the reactionsolution was stirred for 4 hours. The reaction solution was washed withan aqueous citric acid solution and water until the solution becameneutral and was then dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Theanhydrous magnesium sulfate was filtered off and the filtrate wasconcentrated to yield 9 g (80% recovery) of a silicone resin containingradically reactive groups. The silicone resin thus obtained will bereferred to as silicone resin E.

Silicone resin E obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxanes and the polysiloxanes containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxanes, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 5. As is apparent from FIG.5, a resin with an Mw of 64,000 is obtained here.

Example 6

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 30 ml of toluene, 1.09 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, 1.6 g of anorganohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (v) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=30, and m=0), and 1.56 g ofan organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (vi) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=8, and m=16). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 4.9 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=659), 1.38 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both endsrepresented by the following structural formula (vii) (wherein R is amethyl group and n=35), 1.8 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups at both ends represented by the following structural formula(viii) (wherein R is a methyl group and n=241), and 2.6 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (ix) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=348) over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completionof the dropwise addition of the polysiloxanes containing hydroxyl groupsat both ends, the reaction solution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for5 minutes, then 11.30 g of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was addeddropwise, and the reaction solution was stirred for 4 hours. Thereaction solution was washed with an aqueous citric acid solution andwater until the solution became neutral and was then dehydrated byanhydrous magnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesium sulfate wasfiltered off and the filtrate was concentrated to yield 16 g (92%recovery) of a silicone resin containing radically reactive groups. Thesilicone resin thus obtained will be referred to as silicone resin F.

Silicone resin F obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiR group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxanes and the polysiloxanes containing hydroxylgroups used in the reaction, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamineto the SiH group of the organohydrogenpolysiloxanes, and the rate ofintroduction of the methacryl group to the silicone resin obtained areshown in Table 1. The rate of introduction of the methacryl group wascalculated from the ratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resinand the raw materials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart ofthe silicone resin obtained is shown in FIG. 6. As is apparent from FIG.6, a resin with an Mw of 29,000 is obtained here.

Example 7

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 200 ml of toluene, 1.81 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, 2.97 g ofan organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (v) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=30, and m=0), and 1.49 g ofan organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following structuralformula (vi) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=8, and m=16). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 0.71 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=659), 2.98 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both endsrepresented by the following structural formula (vii) (wherein R is amethyl group and n=35), 0.26 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxylgroups at both ends represented by the following structural formula(viii) (wherein R is a methyl group and n=241), and 0.38 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing structural formula (ix) (wherein R is a methyl group andn=348) over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completionof the dropwise addition of the polysiloxanes containing hydroxyl groupsat both ends, the reaction solution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for5 minutes, then 18.97 g of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was addeddropwise, and the reaction solution was stirred for 4 hours. Thereaction solution was washed with an aqueous citric acid solution andwater until the solution became neutral and was then dehydrated byanhydrous magnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesium sulfate wasfiltered off and the filtrate was concentrated to yield 14 g (93%recovery) of a silicone resin containing radically reactive groups. Thesilicone resin thus obtained will be referred to as silicone resin G.

Silicone resin G obtained above was a colorless viscous liquid solublein a variety of organic solvents. The disappearance of the peakassignable to the SiH group was confirmed by ¹H-NMR analysis. Thenumbers of repeating structural units (s, m, n) of theorganohydrogenpolysiloxanes and the polysiloxanes having hydroxylgroups, the molar ratio of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine to the SiH group ofthe organohydrogenpolysiloxanes, and the rate of introduction of themethacryl group to the silicone resin obtained are shown in Table 1. Therate of introduction of the methacryl group was calculated from theratio of the peaks assignable to the silicone resin and the rawmaterials in ¹H-NMR analysis. Furthermore, a GPC chart of the siliconeresin obtained is shown in FIG. 7. As is apparent from FIG. 7, a resinwith an Mw of 11,000 is obtained here.

Comparative Example 1

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 5 ml of toluene and 0.96 g of an organohydrogenpolysiloxanerepresented by the following general formula (i) (wherein R is a methylgroup, s=7, and m=73). To the reaction vessel was added dropwise atoluene solution of 3.91 g of a polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groupsat both ends represented by the following general formula (iii) (whereinR is a methyl group and n=659) over 5 minutes with stirring at roomtemperature. Upon completion of the dropwise addition of thepolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends, the reactionsolution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for 4 hours. However, the peakassignable to the SiH group did not disappear in the ¹H-NMR analysis,that is, the reaction did not proceed.

Comparative Example 2

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 5 ml of toluene, 0.042 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 0.96 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following generalformula (i) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=7, and m=73). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise a toluene solution of 3.91 g of apolysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by thefollowing general formula (iii) (wherein R is a methyl group and n=659)over 5 minutes with stirring at room temperature. Upon completion of thedropwise addition of the polysiloxane containing hydroxyl groups at bothends, the reaction solution was heated at 50° C. and stirred for 6hours, and then left standing for 2 days. The reaction solution gelledand became insoluble in solvents.

Comparative Example 3

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 200 ml of toluene, 7.32 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 13.6 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following generalformula (v) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=30, and m=0). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise 29.39 g of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate with stirring at room temperature and the stirring wascontinued for 2 hours. The reaction solution was washed with an aqueouscitric acid solution and water until the solution became neutral andthen dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesiumsulfate was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated to yield acurable silicone resin containing radically reactive groups. Thissilicone resin was a colorless viscous liquid soluble in a variety oforganic solvents. The resin thus obtained will be referred to assilicone resin H.

Comparative Example 4

In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer wereplaced 32 ml of toluene, 1.12 g of N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, and 25.96 gof an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by the following generalformula (i) (wherein R is a methyl group, s=7, and m=73). To thereaction vessel was added dropwise 12.30 g of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate with stirring at room temperature and the stirring wascontinued for 10 hours. The reaction solution was washed with an aqueouscitric acid solution and water until the solution became neutral andthen dehydrated by anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The anhydrous magnesiumsulfate was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated to yield acurable silicone resin containing radically reactive groups. Thissilicone resin was a colorless viscous liquid soluble in a variety oforganic solvents. The resin thus obtained will be referred to assilicone resin I.

TABLE 1 Example Comparative example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 s 7 7 7 30 1919 23 7 7 30 7 m 73 73 73 0 4 8 5 73 73 0 73 n 35 659 1872 659 139 17950 659 659 0 0 Molar ratio of amine to 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0 20.4 0.4 SiH group Rate of introduction of 87 69 73 50 70 98 99 0 Gela-90 90 methacryl group [%] tion

Example 8

A transparent silicone resin composition (curable resin composition) wasobtained by mixing 100 parts by weight of silicone resin A prepared inthe aforementioned Example 1 and 2.5 parts by weight of1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone as a photopolymerization initiator.

The curable resin composition obtained above was sandwiched between twoglass plates, each with a thickness of 10 mm, and cured byphotoirradiation for 30 seconds using a mercury lamp at an integratedexposure dose of 6,400 mJ/cm² to yield a molded silicone resin articlein the form of a sheet measuring 200×200×0.4 mm.

Examples 9-13 and Comparative Examples 5-6

Molded silicone resin articles were obtained as in Example 8 with theexception of using the silicone resins and photopolymerizationinitiators shown in Table 2.

The properties of the molded articles obtained in the aforementionedExamples 8-13 and Comparative Examples 5-6 are evaluated and the resultsare shown in Table 2. In Table 2, the symbol J stands for1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (polymerization initiator) and for2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propan-1-one (polymerization initiator) andthe numerical values given in the columns for J and K respectively meanthe amount added in part by weight to 100 parts by weight of thepolymerizable components. The numbers s, m, and n denote the numbers ofstructural units in the molecules of the following structural formulasused in the production of the silicone resins. Further, CTE denotes thecoefficient of linear thermal expansion between 50° C. and 150° C.

The properties of the molded articles were evaluated by the followingmethods.

(1) Modulus of elasticity and elongation: The modulus of elasticity andthe elongation of each molded article were measured with the aid of atensile tester (RTE-1210 manufactured by Orientec Co., Ltd.) at 25° C.The molded articles obtained in Example 8 and Comparative Examples 5 and6 were respectively tested with the distance between chucks set at 50 mmand the test speed set at 5 mm/min. The molded articles obtained inExamples 9-13 were respectively tested with the distance between chucksset at 25 mm and the test speed set at 50 mm/min.(2) Light transmission: The specimen (molded article) with a thicknessof 0.4 mm was tested for transmission of light at a wavelength of 550 nmwith the aid of a testing device, U4000, manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.(3) CTE: The coefficient of linear expansion was measured bythermomechanical analysis at a rate of temperature rise of 5° C./min.

TABLE 2 Comparative Example example 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 Silicone A B D EF G H I resin s 7 7 30 19 19 23 30 7 m 73 73 0 4 8 5 0 73 n 35 659 659139 179 50 0 0 J 2.5 2.5 2.5 K 0.1 0.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 Modulus of 5 0.2 1 1520 240 1311 9 elasticity [MPa] Elongation 20 330 200 50 20 10 3 7 [%]Light 91 91 90 90 92 92 91 92 transmission at 550 nm [%] CTE 293 710 500260 260 190 121 300 [ppm/K]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The silicone resin of this invention possesses a silicone chain to whicharbitrarily long silicone chains and an arbitrary number and kind ofcurable functional groups are introduced selectively so that the resincan yield a cured product with excellent flexibility, toughness, heatresistance, and transparency and the cured product is useful for avariety of applications. More particularly, the silicone resin of thisinvention possesses characteristics of both silicone resins and acrylicresins, that is, excellent flexibility and heat resistance of the formerand rapid curability of the latter. Therefore, a resin compositionformulated from the silicone resin of this invention and a radicalpolymerization catalyst is capable of curing in a short time to producea molded article with excellent heat resistance, transparency,flexibility, and impact resistance. The molded article thus obtained canbe used in a variety of applications; for example, in opticalapplications such as touch panel bases, flat panel display bases,lenses, optical disks, and optical fibers, in various transportmachines, and in housing as window materials. Furthermore, since themolded article can be obtained as a lightweight transparent article, itcan be used as a substitute for glass which has hitherto been used in awide variety of applications. Thus, the silicone resin of this inventionis of high industrial utility.

1. (canceled)
 2. A process for producing a silicone resin containingradically reactive groups which comprises reacting an organopolysiloxanecontaining SiH groups represented by the following general formula (3)

(wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group, and s and m are numbers respectivelyexpressed as 0<s≦100 and 0<m≦1,000) in the presence of a hydroxylaminecompound represented by the following general formula (4)HONR¹ ₂  (4) (wherein R¹ is an alkyl group) with an organopolysiloxanecontaining hydroxyl groups at both ends represented by the followinggeneral formula (5)

(wherein R is an alkyl group of 1-12 carbon atoms optionally containingan oxygen atom or an aryl group, and n is a number expressed as0<n≦2,000) and with an alcohol containing radically reactive groupsrepresented by the following general formula (6)HO(Y)(Z)_(r)  (6) (wherein Y is a hydrocarbon group of 1-12 carbon atomsoptionally containing an oxygen atom, Z is a (meth)acryloyl group, avinyl group, or an allyl group, and r is a number expressed as 1≦r≦6).3. A process for producing a silicone resin containing, radicallyreactive groups as described in claim 2 wherein the molar ratio (k) ofthe hydroxylamine compound represented by general formula (4) to the SiHgroup of the organopolysiloxane containing SiH groups represented bygeneral formula (3) is expressed as 0<k≦1
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.(canceled)